Under19s | Season Opener: Chester Romans v Manchester Titans Preview

Finally, this weekend will see the beginning of the 2018 Under 19s season!

While we don’t have a final confirmed schedule or roster of teams for the second tier, we do know at least one game IS going ahead this weekend, as the Manchester Titans head to Chester for the season opener!

Chester Romans vs Manchester Titans

By Jack Stodel

As the new season begins, the Manchester Titans and the Chester Romans will face off in what is bound to be a barnstorming fixture. Whilst the Titans came out winners in both matchups between the two teams last year, this is a new season and two new squads, so nothing is certain. Throw in that this is a rivalry fixture, and this has the look of a classic opening to the Junior season.

Photography (c) Chris Miles, via facebook.com/pg/manchestertitans

After a thrilling 2017 campaign, the Manchester Titans will be looking to improve on their 5-1 record from last year. The Titans lost narrowly to the Highland Wildcats in last years Northern Plate Final and will look to bite back this season. Manchester will be looking to their crop of young GB Lions, including running back Reuben Quinn-Williams and linebacker Ryan Weaver to make an immediate impact under their new head coach, after their stalwart Phill Chapman stepped down in October last year.

Chester, on the other hand, finished with a 2-3 record last year and will be hoping to build on their struggles and negative record last year. With no selections for the u19 GB side, Chester will surely look to a positive work ethic and lots of teamwork which they will have developed over the past couple of months.

With an abundance of GB talent on the Titans’ roster, Chester are sure to be worried for their first challenge of the year. However, will their home field advantage give them a slight edge?

Nothing is certain in Junior football, and even less so at the beginning of the year! We are excited to see a showcase of some of Britball’s finest young ‘ballers, and will be keeping a close eye on what will happen!